The past few times I've started my Yamaha I've noticed a small puddle underneath the bike. The puddle bothered me but it was not gasoline or oil or coolant so I shrugged it off. The back my mind it did kind of bug me though having a leak of some sort and not knowing where it was coming from. Today I discovered the origin of the leak. This should be easy to fix right?




Link to original video: https://youtu.be/89s-IAJaPm0

First thing I would try is loosening up the clamp, removing the pipe, and trying to reseat it again. At least you will get a better idea of whats going on. Even if you have to r&r anything, it should be a piece of cake. Good luck, easy fix I'm certain.

Stops once its warmed up?
H2O. Hydrocarbons and oxygen do that.

Water is a normal byproduct of combustion. Accumulation of it, without being blown/dried out from riding, is what rusts the system up. Is exhaust actually leaking from that joint? Do you feel exhaust coming out on your hand?

Yepp. It stops once it warms up. I didn't feel any exhaust leak from the joint. I'm glad this is what was causing that puddle under the bike when I first start it. This gives me an excuse to briefly remove the muffler and see how it sounds.

Like the exhaust on my Xterra, it leaks water in about seven places.

I'd leave it, better to let the water out.

Is it possible that's a purposeful water drain? That joint is the lowest point in the system.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
Yepp. It stops once it warms up. I didn't feel any exhaust leak from the joint. I'm glad this is what was causing that puddle under the bike when I first start it. This gives me an excuse to briefly remove the muffler and see how it sounds.

Leave it. This is what it is supposed to do. egregore is correct.

Had that issue on a 2012 BMW R1200R I bought new.

Had a tire change and the exhaust was removed and replaced - leak gone.

It's all about the fit of the pipe.

Remove, reinstall, tighten - GTG.

Permatex copper high temp sealant, any auto parts store

I looked at it and the sealant looks like it is cracked at the bottom. It actually looks to be cracked in a few places. I don't believe it was designed to drain from that spot. It only seems to drain when running anyway so I'm going to reseal it. Thanks HRK!

The muffler doesn't seem to do much in regards to sound reduction. I can't wait to see how it sounds with just the header attached.

Remove the muffler and you'll lose performance. Muffler created back pressure which the engine's timing is designed for.

You may not be riding it enough. Take it for a good hard and long ride; see if it eliminates or vastly reduces the drip next time you start it.

Lastly, I own two Harley big twins. Trust me; that leak of a bit of condensation is nothing to concern yourself about.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
Yepp. It stops once it warms up. I didn't feel any exhaust leak from the joint. I'm glad this is what was causing that puddle under the bike when I first start it. This gives me an excuse to briefly remove the muffler and see how it sounds.

Anytime the exhaust had to come off of my VFR I had to take it on a short spin before it went back on.

So, you are basically telling me to take the exhaust off my Son's 96 VFR and go for a ride

I'd suggest that while you have the clamp loose you take the opportunity to take it off and turn it around so the threaded end points toward the center of the bike rather than outward.

It will look cleaner, and that is the way it was delivered when new!

I agree with the others that you probably have loaded the system with condensation while letting it idle/loaf around the neighborhood, enjoying the sound. Take it out and work it hard for a bit, getting it up to full temp for more than a few minutes to evaporate the condensation throughout the system. The muffler packing can absorb and hold a surprising amount of water, which needs to be condensed or blown out the back.

Enjoy!
Don

hvyhawler, yes absolutely. The V4 is quite possibly the best sounding engine to ever be created by mankind. Let her sing unrestricted. . Please, if you can, record it so that us lesser beings stuck with V twins and inline fours can enjoy the siren sound of a unmuffled V4.


dsmack, the ride before I started and filmed the R1 pissing on my driveway she did the ton twice and then some. I like to let my inline fours sing their glorious song . It has rained for a few days and the R1 briefly got rained on (it's been monsoon season here in NC the past few days) the day before it was started and filmed so I'm thinking that is why I was able to finally find the source of the liquid leak that had been bugging me.

Once the weather warms up and the rain quits, we will get her out... Have a new battery and fresh insurance quotes...

quote:

Originally posted by hvyhawler:
So, you are basically telling me to take the exhaust off my Son's 96 VFR and go for a ride

Oh yes, V4 and gear driven cams? I can't think of anything that sounds better.

quote:

Originally posted by Perception:

quote:

Originally posted by hvyhawler:
So, you are basically telling me to take the exhaust off my Son's 96 VFR and go for a ride

Oh yes, V4 and gear driven cams? I can't think of anything that sounds better.

I can think of one better. Well, better than the VFR that is....Ever heard a Yamaha V-Max! It sounds like a Small-Block Chevy V8 with the right intake and exhaust work!

The V-Max is a V4. I don't know if it has gear driven cams but the V4 is why is sounds so beastly.